Regional councils unite to deliver tailored employment support through Connect to Work Programme
The Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton have joined forces to launch a regionally tailored version of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Connect to Work programme, aimed at tackling economic inactivity and supporting residents into meaningful employment
This strategic partnership between Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council, and Southampton City Council forms the Solent Growth Partnership, a collaborative effort to deliver innovative business support, training, and employment services across the region.
The programme will bring an extra £11.5m to the area and will focus on individuals with health conditions and complex barriers to employment, offering them voluntary support that reflects the unique needs of coastal communities. Delivery, which for the Solent will support around 3,600 people, is structured around two proven models: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), ensuring high-quality, person-centred assistance.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council and Chair of the Solent Growth Partnership, said:
“This programme is a powerful example of what can be achieved when local authorities work together to meet the real needs of our communities. Connect to Work will help residents across the Solent region overcome barriers to employment, improve wellbeing, and access opportunities that reflect the strengths of our local economy. We’re proud to be part of a partnership that puts people first and delivers lasting impact.”
Colin Rowland, Strategic Director of Community Services, Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We are thrilled to be working in partnership on the delivery of the Connect to Work programme on the Isle of Wight, with our neighbouring authorities in Southampton and Portsmouth. Delivered locally the programme aims to provide essential support to those facing the toughest barriers to employment. This programme will offer vital, tailored support to those facing challenges in the labour market, empowering them to secure sustainable employment and build better lives. The programme will build on the Island’s well established community health partnerships ensuring the continued development of employers to offer creative and accessible conditions for people to develop and grow”.
Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council, said:
“Southampton City Council is proud of our collaborative working with Portsmouth City Council and Isle of Wight Council to support local people across the region into employment. Together we have developed partnerships with local employers throughout the region’s business sectors that are shaping the opportunities available to and creating meaningful pathways into work for local people.”
The initiative is employer-led and locally delivered, aligning training and job opportunities with real business needs. It leverages the Solent’s key sectors – including maritime, digital, health, and the visitor economy – to create sustainable employment pathways.
Support includes:
- Targeted employment services
- Skills development initiatives
- Employer engagement activities
- Financial guidance through Better Off Calculations
- Job retention support
By aligning with the UK Government’s Connect to Work ambition, the Solent region is delivering tangible outcomes: enhancing access to employment, strengthening local economies, and fostering a more inclusive future for communities across the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
